Notes:Recently, President Ram Nath Kovind has nominated 4 Rajya Sabha members viz. Farmer leader and former MP Ram Shakal, sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra, classical dancer Sonal Mansingh and Founder of Delhi-based “India Policy Foundation” Rakesh Sinha. Raghunath Mohapatra is an internationally renowned sculptur famous for his stone carvings. Practicing since 1959, Mr. Mohapatra has trained over 2000 students. He has contributed to the preservation of traditional sculpture and ancient monuments, and has worked on the beautification of the Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri. Mr. Mohapatra’s famous works include a six-feet high statue of the Sun God carved in grey sandstone in the Central Hall of Parliament, the lotus carving at Vir Bhoomi memorial of Rajiv Gandhi in New Delhi, and the Wooden Buddha in Paris.

Notes:For the first time ever, United Nations Member States have agreed an all-encompassing “Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration” to better manage international migration, address its challenges, strengthen migrant rights and contribute to sustainable development.

5. World’s largest visa centre has been opened in which of the following cities recently?

Notes:India’s home minister Rajnath Singh has recently inaugurated the world’s largest state-of-the-art visa centre in Dhaka with modern facilities, promising shorter waiting times for applicants. This Integrated centre at Jamuna Future Park (JFP), Dhaka is the largest Indian visa centre in the world with 18,500 square feet commercial area.

6. Which country has taken the seat vacated by United States at the UN Human Rights Council?

Notes:The UN members have unanimously elected Iceland to take a seat on the world body’s 47-member Human Rights Council. US had left the UNHRC in June, 2018 calling it a cesspool of political bias for its criticism of Israeli regime’s crimes against Palestinians.

7. Bansagar Dam project is a joint venture between which of these three states?

Notes:On 15 July, 2018, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Bansagar canal project in Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. This dam project is a joint venture between Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and includes a total canal network of 171 kms. These canals will bring waters from Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh for Adwa Barrage, Meza Dam and Jirgo reservoir. The project promises to be greatly beneficial for the farmers of Mirzapur and Allahabad districts of Uttar Pradesh. It would hopefully benefit 1 lakh 70 thousand farmers of Mirzapur and Allahabad districts.

8. Recently, ISRO successfully tested the high thrust version of the Vikas Engine at its Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Tamil Nadu’s Mahendragiri. Vikas Engine is a useful liquid rocket engine powering which of the following?

Notes:Vikas (acronym for VIKram Ambalal Sarabhai) Engine is the workhorse liquid rocket engine powering the second stage of India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), second stage and the four strap on stages of Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and the twin engine core liquid stage (L110) of GSLV Mk-III.

9. As per the Census 2011 data, 24,821 people in India have registered Sanskrit as their mother tongue (in comparison to 14,135 in Census 2001). In which of the following states of India, Sanskrit is an official language?

Notes:World Youth Skills Day is celebrated on 15th July every year. This day is celebrated to expand awareness on the importance of investing in youth skills development. The United Nations General Assembly decided in resolution A/RES/69/145 to depute 15 July as World Youth Skills Day.